Comments on: The delicate art of business partnering http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2006/10/30/the-delicate-art-of-business-partnering/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:37:10 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Barbara Saunders http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2006/10/30/the-delicate-art-of-business-partnering/comment-page-1/#comment-3400 Barbara Saunders Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:21:14 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=350#comment-3400 Depending on the business, it may not always be necessary to form a partnership. Sometimes you can simply break apart a task into work for two separate businesses or practices. Depending on the business, it may not always be necessary to form a partnership. Sometimes you can simply break apart a task into work for two separate businesses or practices.

]]> By: Cheryl Sylvester http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2006/10/30/the-delicate-art-of-business-partnering/comment-page-1/#comment-3401 Cheryl Sylvester Fri, 03 Nov 2006 03:27:13 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=350#comment-3401 I speak from having created a $7 million marketing communications business with a wonderful partner... The best business partnership is like a marriage. There must of course be deep respect, trust and shared direction. And for the relationship to be truly more than the sum of its parts, each partner must be committed and willing to give the relationship precedence over individual interests at times. I speak from having created a $7 million marketing communications business with a wonderful partner…

The best business partnership is like a marriage. There must of course be deep respect, trust and shared direction. And for the relationship to be truly more than the sum of its parts, each partner must be committed and willing to give the relationship precedence over individual interests at times.

]]> By: JibberJobber Guy http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2006/10/30/the-delicate-art-of-business-partnering/comment-page-1/#comment-3402 JibberJobber Guy Wed, 01 Nov 2006 13:38:11 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=350#comment-3402 I have to agree completely with Geoff - I've been involved in partnerships where there were a few little tiny "pink flags" that are easily ignored. But I've found that those pink flags grow and grow... and grow... and can eventually break the business. I started something and once I saw the first pink flag I opened my eyes wider, and after I realized it wasn't going away I pulled the plug. It is not worth it, and you cannot ignore the warning signs! I have to agree completely with Geoff – I’ve been involved in partnerships where there were a few little tiny “pink flags” that are easily ignored. But I’ve found that those pink flags grow and grow… and grow… and can eventually break the business. I started something and once I saw the first pink flag I opened my eyes wider, and after I realized it wasn’t going away I pulled the plug. It is not worth it, and you cannot ignore the warning signs!

]]> By: Bill Dwight http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2006/10/30/the-delicate-art-of-business-partnering/comment-page-1/#comment-3403 Bill Dwight Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:51:36 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=350#comment-3403 When it comes to choosing "independent project partners" - i.e., subcontractors - my advice is to look into online marketplaces like Elance, Guru, RentACoder, and ODesk (particularly in the creative design, Web site development, or general software development spaces). Start off with a low risk, low stakes project to get a feel for how well the service provider performs and communicates. Expand from there once you find the providers you like. This is a great way to get strong value at reasonable prices. To see an example of how I have used Elance providers to generate logo concepts for my new company, see the series of posts starting here: http://whdwight.blogspot.com/2006/10/famzoo-logo-concept-project.html Regards, Bill When it comes to choosing “independent project partners” – i.e., subcontractors – my advice is to look into online marketplaces like Elance, Guru, RentACoder, and ODesk (particularly in the creative design, Web site development, or general software development spaces). Start off with a low risk, low stakes project to get a feel for how well the service provider performs and communicates. Expand from there once you find the providers you like. This is a great way to get strong value at reasonable prices. To see an example of how I have used Elance providers to generate logo concepts for my new company, see the series of posts starting here: http://whdwight.blogspot.com/2006/10/famzoo-logo-concept-project.html

Regards,
Bill

]]> By: Bring the Cash Flow http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2006/10/30/the-delicate-art-of-business-partnering/comment-page-1/#comment-3407 Bring the Cash Flow Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:25:58 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=350#comment-3407 <strong>Working with People</strong> I struggle to understand people. I dont know why exactly, but it can be difficult. Thus, I am weary to enter into partnerships with other people because I second-guess myself, and I dont trust my ability to judge a person&#8217... Working with People

I struggle to understand people. I dont know why exactly, but it can be difficult. Thus, I am weary to enter into partnerships with other people because I second-guess myself, and I dont trust my ability to judge a person’…

]]> By: NLG http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2006/10/30/the-delicate-art-of-business-partnering/comment-page-1/#comment-3404 NLG Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:14:14 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=350#comment-3404 Another fantastic article Pam, thanks. The amount of time you put into your posts really shines through, well thought-out, and well-phrased. Furthermore, this advice is essential for all relationships, not just partnerships, so it is something everyone can learn from and reflect upon. NG Another fantastic article Pam, thanks. The amount of time you put into your posts really shines through, well thought-out, and well-phrased.

Furthermore, this advice is essential for all relationships, not just partnerships, so it is something everyone can learn from and reflect upon.

NG

]]> By: DofAM http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2006/10/30/the-delicate-art-of-business-partnering/comment-page-1/#comment-3405 DofAM Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:18:31 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=350#comment-3405 Pam: I've had some really bad experiences partnering. What I try to do now is partner with companies that offer parallel complimentary services to my own. Otherwise it turns into a dogfight for dollars. In addition, I trust my gut. If I get the slightest negative feeling about someone, regardless of reputation, I don't partner with them. When I have turned a deaf ear to this inner voice I have paid dearly. My $.02. -Geoff P.S. I got a photo on my blog now. --- Good advice Geoff! A sour partnership is a really heartbreaking and frustrating experience. I am glad you have learned and moved on! I agree - your gut doesn't lie. Love the photo! I swear, it makes a difference to visit your blog and see your smiling face. I am sure your future clients will feel the same! -Pam Pam:

I’ve had some really bad experiences partnering. What I try to do now is partner with companies that offer parallel complimentary services to my own. Otherwise it turns into a dogfight for dollars.

In addition, I trust my gut. If I get the slightest negative feeling about someone, regardless of reputation, I don’t partner with them. When I have turned a deaf ear to this inner voice I have paid dearly.

My $.02.

-Geoff

P.S. I got a photo on my blog now.

—

Good advice Geoff! A sour partnership is a really heartbreaking and frustrating experience. I am glad you have learned and moved on! I agree – your gut doesn’t lie.

Love the photo! I swear, it makes a difference to visit your blog and see your smiling face. I am sure your future clients will feel the same!

-Pam

]]> By: ann michael http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2006/10/30/the-delicate-art-of-business-partnering/comment-page-1/#comment-3406 ann michael Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:11:20 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=350#comment-3406 Pam - This is a great topic. I did a series on it (more nuts and bolts) as I was actually going through the formation of a joint venture. http://managetochange.typepad.com/main/solopreneurs_and_free_agents/index.html I think that quote is priceless. Aside from the character issues (honesty, integrity, etc.) I also look for someone with whom I can have the tough conversations. Working out the specifics of how you and a partner will do business is difficult (money, clients and customer service philosophy). I'd try having some of those conversations early - before any real or implied commitments have been made. If they don't go well - run! Pam -

This is a great topic. I did a series on it (more nuts and bolts) as I was actually going through the formation of a joint venture.

http://managetochange.typepad.com/main/solopreneurs_and_free_agents/index.html

I think that quote is priceless. Aside from the character issues (honesty, integrity, etc.) I also look for someone with whom I can have the tough conversations. Working out the specifics of how you and a partner will do business is difficult (money, clients and customer service philosophy). I’d try having some of those conversations early – before any real or implied commitments have been made. If they don’t go well – run!

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